every allowance made for her, and she will be kindly and
firmly dealt with. And then, there are the bairns, and our bonny
Maysie. I confess the glimpse I have gotten of her has already greatly
interested me."

"I acknowledge I have felt the same. But others will be interested in
her also. Does she really think that she can keep a secret in a place
like this? What she will not tell, others will guess. Or worse, they
will imagine a story for her."

"We must do what we can to guard her from ill or idle tongues."

"Yes, and if she were just a commonplace servant-lass, like our Kirstin,
it might be easy to do so. But with a face and eyes like hers, to say
nothing of her way of carrying herself, every eye will be upon her."

"She is a stately woman truly. But her dark, colourless face will
hardly take the fancy of common folk. They will miss the lilies and
roses. She has wonderful een," added the minister.

"Yes, like those of a dumb creature in pain. Whiles I feel, looking at
her, that I must put my arms about her and let her greet (weep) her
heart out on my breast. But she has hardly given me a chance to say a
kind word to her yet. That may come in time, however."

"It will be sure to come," said the minister heartily. "What sorrowful
soul ever withstood you long? And you have reason to trust her? She
has done well thus far?"

"I have had no cause to distrust her. Yes, she has done wonderfully
well. Though I doubt whether she has ever occupied a servant's place
before. And she gets on well with the lads. Jack has once felt the
weight of her hand, I believe. I do not think he will be in a hurry
again to vex her with his nonsense."

"I must have a word with Jack, and with them all."

"As for our Marjorie, her heart is taken captive quite."

"My precious darling! She may do Allison good. And we must all try to
help the poor soul as we may, for I fear she is in an evil case."

CHAPTER THREE.

"For the highest and the humblest work had been given them to do."

Yes, Allison Bain was in an evil case, but if an entire change of scene
and manner of life, and hard work and plenty of it, were likely to have
a beneficial effect upon her, she had come to the right place to find
them. And she had come also to the right place to get faithful,
patient, and kindly oversight, which she needed as much as change.

When she had been longing to get away--anywhere--out of the great town,
which was lik